PIP payments update for claimants with anxiety, depression, ADHD or autism

PIP payments update for claimants with anxiety, depression, ADHD or autism A major review of the PIP benefit system is underway A benefits support charity has spoken out to clarify some misunderstandings about the reality facing PIP claimants (Personal Independence Payment). Financial help group Money Wellness spoke about some of the extra costs that people can face living with mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, or with neurodivergent conditions such as autism or ADHD. The update comes after a report came out with a series of findings about people with these conditions who claim the DWP benefit. Depression and anxiety are the top two health conditions that people with PIP report having, while autism and ADHD are also in the top 10 most commonly reported conditions. There have been concerns raised in the media about the rapid rise in recent years in the diagnosis of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions. Some argue that people are to an extent incentivised to get such a diagnosis so they can claim certain benefits or a higher award. A recent Government-commission report also raised concerns that ADHD and autism are being overdiagnosed. PIP is intended to help with the extra costs associated with living with a long-term health condition or disability. There are varying levels of payment depending on to what extent your health condition(s) impact your in your daily life or mobility. The Money Wellness team explained why people with conditions such as anxiety or ADHD may well need this support. Not always visible Rebecca Lamb, external relations manager at Money Wellness, said: "Living with anxiety, depression, ADHD or autism can cost more in ways that aren't always visible from the outside. That might mean taking a taxi because a crowded bus feels impossible, paying more for ready meals or delivery on days when cooking is out of reach, or running the heating more because you spend more time at home." She explained how people with these conditions can face higher bills as a result of their condition: "For people with ADHD, missed bills and forgotten renewals can mean late payment fees and rolling on to more expensive tariffs. And people with autism may need things such as noise-cancelling headphones or specific foods because of sensory needs. Ensure our latest DWP headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings. "Long NHS waiting lists mean some people end up paying for therapy or assessments privately too." The Resolution Foundation recently published a report having spoken to PIP claimants to hear their real-life experiences being on the benefit. The study found that 89 per cent of PIP claimants with ADHD have extra costs as a result of their disability, similar to the proportions for those with back pain (87 per cent) and arthritis (94 per cent). Less than one per cent of PIP recipients report only having anxiety, ADHD or autism, meaning the vast majority of people with these conditions have other health conditions or disabilities that they live with. Makes dealing with money harder Looking at these findings, Ms Lamb said: "The picture of someone claiming for a single mild condition doesn't match the reality for most people. Many of these conditions also make dealing with money harder in the first place, because opening post, making phone calls or keeping track of bills can feel overwhelming, so debts can build up quietly. "If that sounds familiar, organisations like us can help you check you’re getting everything you're entitled to and work through any bills that have mounted up." One curious finding in the report is that 16 per cent of those spoken to said they don't currently have extra costs as a result of their health condition. Ms Lamb spelled out the reality here. She said: "The 16 per cent figure needs to be read alongside what PIP tests. The assessment looks at what you can and can't do day to day, not at what you spend, so it was never set up to measure extra costs directly. "People's health also changes. Someone who had high costs when they were first assessed may be in a better place now, which is what everyone would hope for. The report found nearly nine in 10 people have conditions that go up and down, so some may have simply answered on a good day." In contrast, the report found that in some cases, people are struggling to cover their extra costs even with their PIP payments. The benefits expert said: "What concerns us more is the other side of the picture. Among people who pay more for heating because of their condition, more than a third say they can never or rarely afford it. "So for many people, PIP isn't stretching far enough to cover the costs it's meant for. There's clearly room for the test to match support to need more closely, and asking about costs at the assessment would help with that." PIP review Major changes to the PIP system could be on the way soon. The Government is carrying out a review of the benefit, co-chaired by DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms. An interim report said the review team had heard from many people that the benefit was "not fit for purpose". Some disabled people described the process of applying for the benefit as "dehumanising" and "soul destroying". The final report for the review with its recommendations to the Government is expected to come out in November 2026.